Ivan's father's eyes widened in surprise, but a smile began to form on his face. "You found someone else?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. His mother looked just as eager, waiting for Ivan's answer.
Ivan simply nodded, glancing at his sister before turning back to his parents.
"Is she here?" their mother asked, her tone full of anticipation.
"HE is," Ivan corrected, his voice steady.
He looked over to the side where Callistus was hesitantly peeking out from behind the door.
"Callistus," Ivan called with a smile, motioning for him to come forward.
The warm smiles on Ivan's parents' faces faltered the moment they saw Callistus. Their eyes widened in shock, and a visible tension filled the room. The eagerness that had been so apparent just moments before faded into something more reserved and uncertain.
Callistus hesitated, sensing the shift in their demeanour. As he stepped forward, he felt as though he had made a grave mistake.
Ivan's father put a hand on Callistus' shoulder, forcing a smile. "Great to see you again," he said, though his tone lacked its previous warmth. He then turned to Ivan, his expression growing stern. "We need to talk," he said firmly, leading Ivan and his wife to the kitchen for a private conversation.
Star's face showed concern, but she tried to reassure Callistus. "Don't worry," she whispered, urging him to take a seat. "It'll be fine."
Callistus nodded, but as he sat down, he could hear the faint, tense voices from the kitchen. Ivan's parents were discussing something in hushed tones, though the words grew clearer as the conversation became more heated.
"Marry," "love," "him," and "old friend" were words that floated out to him, each one tightening the knot of anxiety in Callistus' chest.
Who was this old friend they kept mentioning? Was she the one Ivan's parents had hoped he would marry? Did Ivan still have feelings for her, deep down? Doubt and fear started to cloud Callistus' mind.
The voices in the kitchen grew louder, and soon the argument was unmistakable. Ivan's calm voice was now laced with frustration as he fought back.
"You said I could marry anyone of my choice," Ivan's voice rang out, firm but controlled. "Those were your words."
"I know what I said, but this is not what I meant!" Ivan's father shouted back, his tone harsh and unyielding. "You promised to marry your old friend. We never thought you'd bring home—"
"Yes, I promised, and I've still kept it," Ivan interjected, his voice rising but still controlled. "It's him. I want Callistus, not anyone else."
There was a stunned silence that followed Ivan's declaration. Star, who had rushed into the kitchen when the argument had escalated, stood in shock, watching the scene unfold.
Ivan's parents exchanged a glance, their stern expressions softening slightly as the reality of their son's words sank in. They didn't dislike Callistus; they were simply taken aback by how quickly everything had changed.
"You really want Callistus?" Ivan's mother asked, her voice now softer.
Ivan nodded, his gaze steady and unwavering. He extended a hand to Callistus, pulling him close as he answered, "Yes. There's no one else for me."
Callistus stood by Ivan's side, his heart racing. Ivan's parents remained silent for a moment, processing the situation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ivan's father sighed heavily, the tension in his shoulders releasing.
"If this is what you truly want, then… you have our blessing," he said, though his voice still held a note of reluctance.
Ivan's mother nodded in agreement, her expression softening as she looked at her son and Callistus. "We only want you both to be well,"
A wave of relief washed over both Ivan and Callistus. They got what they wanted, but Callistus couldn't ignore the heavy weight in his chest. Even with the blessing, the secret he carried felt like a ticking time bomb, and the thought of what might happen if the truth came out made his heart ache.
—
As they drove, the hum of the car filled the silence between them. Callistus glanced at Ivan, his thoughts churning. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy about Ivan's old friend, the one his parents had mentioned with such insistence.
"Ivan," Callistus finally spoke up, his voice hesitant. "You haven't really told me much about your old friend. What were they like?"
Ivan's hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel as he focused on the road ahead. "Well, this is sudden," he began, choosing his words carefully. "They were beautiful in their own way, even if not everyone would agree. Outgoing but could be quiet at times, playful, funny… They were my best bud."
Callistus felt his heart sink. "You really miss her, don't you?" he asked quietly.
Ivan glanced at him briefly before turning his attention back to the road. "Yeah, I do," he admitted, his tone more serious. "I want him back."
Callistus blinked in surprise. "Him?" he repeated, his eyes widening. "Your old friend… was a guy?"
Ivan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought about the friend he once had.
The revelation left Callistus feeling unsettled. He had assumed the old friend was a girl, someone who had once had a special place in Ivan's heart. But now, knowing it was a guy, he couldn't shake the growing jealousy gnawing at him. He tried to push the thoughts away, but they lingered, making him feel distant.
In the days that followed, Callistus found himself pulling back, unsure of where he stood. The more he thought about Ivan's connection to his old friend, the more he felt overshadowed. His mind kept replaying Ivan's words, the fondness in his voice when he talked about him. Callistus couldn't help but wonder if he could ever compete with that bond.
—
One day, during work, Callistus couldn't focus. He kept glancing at his phone, waiting for a response from Ivan. He had tried calling him several times, but Ivan hadn't picked up. The silence on the other end of the line only fueled Callistus's frustration.
Why wasn't Ivan answering?
"Ivan is not going to marry CloudWave Vapours?" Myiesha said, her voice with a hint of excitement. "Who did he find?"
"Callistus," Star said. "They have my parents blessing!"
"Wow, that's fast," Myiesha answered. "But what about Callistus parent's blessing?"
Callistus shook his head, "Not yet," he replied. "Im planning to tell Mia soon too. I need her help in something too."
—
Later that day, as they drove home together, the tension was there. Ivan could sense something was off. He glanced at Callistus, who was staring out the window.
"Cal, what's wrong?" Ivan finally asked, his voice filled with concern.
Callistus didn't respond right away, his jaw clenched as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. But the silence between them was too heavy to ignore.
"It's nothing," Callistus lied, his voice low but tinged with hurt.
Ivan sighed, remembering the calls Callistus gave him. "I'm sorry," he said, reaching over to place a hand on Callistus's knee. "I was caught up in a important meeting, I didn't mean to worry you."
But Callistus didn't look at him. "Were you with him?" he asked, the question hanging in the air.
Ivan frowned, quickly catching on to what was bothering Callistus. "What? No!" he answered honestly. "You thought I was with him? I haven't seen him in a long time."
Callistus turned to look at Ivan, searching his face for any signs of dishonesty. "But you still want to, don't you?" he asked, his voice quiet.
Ivan shook his head. "Cal, you're the one I'm with now," he said firmly. "Yes, he was a friend, and that's all in the past. What I have with you is what matters to me."
Callistus nodded slowly, starting to believe him. "Okay," he said softly, though a part of him still felt uncertain.
—
"Can't you remember?" Ivan said as he laid next to Callistus in bed. "It's always been you."